New schools can be overwhelming, with all the jitters of meeting unfamiliar faces and fitting in. Vinayana shared with TeenBook, reminiscing about her diary entry from a day that began with nerves but turned into something extraordinary. Thanks to Mira’s curiosity and kindness, what started as a scary first day transformed into the beginning of a wonderful friendship!

Dear diary, 

I still remember the  first time when I wheeled into the classroom for the first time, I couldn’t help but feel nervous. I had just moved to this new school, and being the “new kid” is always scary—more so when you use a wheelchair. What would my classmates think? Would they stare? Ignore me? Or worse, feel sorry for me?

I took a deep breath and smiled as brightly as I could. Smiling always made me feel better, even when I wasn’t sure of myself.

As I settled in, I noticed a girl around my age, her curly hair framing her curious face. She kept glancing at me but didn’t say anything. I could tell she wanted to talk but wasn’t sure how to start. I wanted to say something too, but before I could, our teacher encouraged her.

She walked over hesitantly and said, “Hi, I’m Mira. Can I ask you something?” Her voice was soft, almost shy, and I could tell she was nervous.

“Of course!” I said, hoping to make her feel comfortable.

As Mira sat next to me, we started talking. She asked about my wheelchair and what cerebral palsy (my disability that impacts my movement and speech) meant. I appreciated her honesty—it was refreshing. I explained as simply as I could: “It means my muscles don’t always work the way I want them to. Sometimes I need help, but I can still do a lot of things, just in my own way.”

Then she told me about herself—how much she loved drawing and making up stories. My eyes lit up. *I love to watch sketching, and I’ve been thinking about writing a story about a girl who talks to animals.”

From that moment, the conversation flowed like we had been friends forever. We laughed about silly things, shared ideas about art, and even planned to sit together during lunch.

By the end of the day, I felt lighter. Mira wasn’t just kind; she was curious, funny, and genuine. She didn’t see my wheelchair as a barrier; she just saw me.

As we said goodbye, I realized something important: new beginnings can be scary, but they can also be amazing. I had made my first friend here—someone who didn’t just look past my differences but celebrated the things that made us alike.

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